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Sleepy Bears facts for kids

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Sleepy Bears
Sleepy Bears.jpg
Author Mem Fox
Illustrator Kerry Argent
Country Australia
Language English
Genre Children's picture book, poetry
Published 1999 (Pan Macmillan)
Media type Print (hardback)
Pages 32 (unpaginated)
ISBN 9780732909802
OCLC 222315418

Sleepy Bears is a lovely children's picture book written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Kerry Argent. It was first published in 1999. This heartwarming story is all about a mother bear getting her six little cubs ready for their long winter sleep, known as hibernation. It's a perfect book for bedtime, showing how animals prepare for different seasons.

About Sleepy Bears

This book tells the sweet story of a mother bear and her six tiny cubs. As winter approaches, the mother bear gently guides each of her cubs through their bedtime routine. She helps them get ready for a very special, very long sleep. The story uses rhyming words and soft illustrations to show the cubs snuggling down. It's a comforting tale about family, warmth, and getting ready for rest.

The Story's Main Idea

The main idea of Sleepy Bears is about preparing for sleep and the special bond between a parent and their children. It also gently introduces the idea of hibernation. This is a natural process where some animals sleep through the cold winter months. The book shows how the bear family gets cozy and safe for their long nap.

Who Wrote and Drew the Book?

Sleepy Bears was created by two talented Australian artists.

About Mem Fox, the Author

Mem Fox is a very famous author of children's books. She was born in Australia in 1946. She has written over 40 books for young readers. Many of her books are loved around the world. Mem Fox often writes about important feelings and experiences in a simple, rhyming way. Her stories are known for being warm and comforting. Some of her other popular books include Possum Magic and Where Is the Green Sheep?.

About Kerry Argent, the Illustrator

Kerry Argent is an amazing illustrator who brings stories to life with her drawings. She was also born in Australia. Her artwork in Sleepy Bears helps to show the cozy and sleepy feeling of the story. She uses soft colors and gentle lines to draw the bears. Her pictures make you feel like you are right there with the bear family. Kerry Argent has illustrated many other children's books, making them beautiful and engaging.

What is Hibernation?

The book Sleepy Bears is all about bears getting ready to hibernate. But what exactly is hibernation?

Why Animals Hibernate

Hibernation is a special way some animals survive during cold winter months. When food is hard to find and the weather is very cold, animals like bears, bats, and some rodents go into a deep sleep. This sleep helps them save energy. Their body temperature drops, their breathing slows down, and their heart rate gets much slower. It's like pressing a pause button on their lives until spring arrives.

How Bears Hibernate

Bears are famous for hibernating. They spend the autumn eating lots of food to build up fat. This fat acts as their fuel during their long sleep. When winter comes, they find a safe place, like a cave or a den. They then settle down for several months. Even though they are in a deep sleep, they can still wake up if disturbed. When spring arrives, they wake up feeling hungry and ready to find food again.

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